Collins or true temper boys axe?

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Sitcomdad83

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Jan 17, 2022
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Looking for a basic axe to use on occasional camping and maybe a yard project every now and then. Only ones in my budget (under $50) and what I've handled locally is a true temper boys axe and a Collins boys axe both got a 28"handle with a 2.25lb bit which fits me great. There's only 10 bucks difference between them. I've been told both brands are now made outside us. Which one is better or a suggestion in price range? any advise would be appreciated.
 
The axes that Collins do Brasil sells here are produced in China. But I have some and it's a good steel, with good edge retention, with an approximate hardness of 55 to 56HRC. The more grotesque finish leaves something to be desired.
Due to the ease of finding something better in the US, I would maybe go for a Cold Steel Trail Boss, or a Fiskars X15.
 
The problem with those new axes is that the flat cheeks make them very sticky. They won't chop or split efficiently. Thin flat cheeks stick. Convex cheeks will pop the chip and release easier. Council Tool's base priced boys axe at least has minimally convexed cheeks. It's superior to the recent Collins or True Temper (Truper) models.

It's a sad time for new axes.
 
Little brother was using a collins boys axe to split hunks of pecan on a concrete slab for his smoker and it was holding up anyways.Some of the true temper marked boys axes are stamped us and the year i have a 19 .Worked good for chopping branches against a stump would imagine be as good as any flat cheeked euro axe.Sad time is right every time i pick that axe up cant help but see it .
 
for buying a new axe, I'd definitely recommend looking for a council tools boys axe. that will be much better than the true temper or collins. If you can't find one locally, I'm sure you can find one online easily enough. If you don't want to buy online, I'd recommend fiskars over the true temper or collins, and you should be able to find a fiskars axe locally somewhere.

what would turn me off of the true temper or collins as much as the poor quality heads would be the even poorer quality handles. with council you'll get a much better head and a handle that at least is mostly shaped like a real axe handle, and not just a cartoon drawing of an axe handle.

I'll add that the problem with trying to find a used one - especially locally, is that while vintage axes are certainly higher quality, any more, you really have to weed through a lot of worn out heads to find an actually decent ones. even on ebay, the majority of heads for sale have overly worn bits - especially the toes. whenever I go to antique stores, anything I find there is literally junk and they are asking prices way more than I could get better stuff on ebay for - even though the prices on ebay have gone through the roof. so honestly, it's probably easier and may actually be cheaper to just get a council axe and be done with it. especially if you don't want to monkey around with putting a new handle on it, because the only thing harder than finding a good axe head is finding a good axe handle. If you've ever used an actual correctly shaped axe handle, the new axe handles available are laughably horrible - even those from the so called "good" places are not that great.
 
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FLINT77 said:
I'll add that the problem with trying to find a used one - especially locally, is that while vintage axes are certainly higher quality, any more, you really have to weed through a lot of worn out heads to find an actually decent ones.
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With a little luck you can find some really nice ones at garage sales/ estate sales. Antique shops will usually be overpriced. I’ve found axes that look like they’ve barely been used, original handle even. You will definitely have to sift through a decent amount of bad ones but it’s a great feeling when you find a barely used vintage one. All good advice on here. As square peg said, it really is a sad time for new axes.
 
FLINT77 said:
If you've ever used an actual correctly shaped axe handle, the new axe handles available are laughably horrible - even those from the so called "good" places are not that great.
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This bears repeating.

Vintage hafts are as superior to modern hafts as vintage axe heads are to modern heads.
IMG_0301a.JPG
 
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Update appreciate all the suggestions and advise but got a fiskars x15 on way to me. It's had a shorter handle but I figure less maintenance overall. I am going to buy a vintage axe or council tool next week which was suggested to me in thread. I believe a new addictiion starting. Now all I have to do is not cut my foot off and the impending questioning why I have a garage full of axes. Life's just is a neverending sitcom thanks again!
 
Sitcomdad83 said:
Update appreciate all the suggestions and advise but got a fiskars x15 on way to me. It's had a shorter handle but I figure less maintenance overall. I am going to buy a vintage axe or council tool next week which was suggested to me in thread. I believe a new addictiion starting. Now all I have to do is not cut my foot off and the impending questioning why I have a garage full of axes. Life's just is a neverending sitcom thanks again!
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I have a Fiskars hatchet and love it. I also have an old Council tools camp axe that is several decades old. It is awesome. I used it for limbing trees we cut as firewood. Good luck in your new found addiction
 
Be careful with the collecting(addiction) of axes, it will start with a few and then you won't be able to stop. I started out just cleaning them up and sharpening them for a buddy. Now I have my own little collection going and I pick them up every chance I get. Always need pics so here are some of the ones I've found over the last 3 years or so, that doesnt include all the hatchets either. Most have been rehung, cleaned up and sharpened. Hopefully others will show you some of theirs and warn you about axe collecting.



 
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JLRubicon said:
Be careful with the collecting(addiction) of axes, it will start with a few and then you won't be able to stop. I started out just cleaning them up and sharpening them for a buddy. Now I have my own little collection going and I pick them up every chance I get. Always need pics so here are some of the ones I've found over the last 3 years or so, that doesnt include all the hatchets either. Most have been rehung, cleaned up and sharpened. Hopefully others will show you some of theirs and warn you about axe collecting.



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The double bit in the first photo looks like a cutting machine
 
fiskars axes are pretty good. in time, if you use axes enough you will figure out what handle length you prefer. For me, 30" is the sweet spot, but it's almost impossible to find new handles at that length. I used to be able to get some pretty good 32" link handles from my local hardware store, but those are all gone now. replaced by 36" truper atrocities.

Just be really careful how you swing that short handle. that's short enough that you could catch yourself in the crotch or thigh. Until you've done a good bit of chopping its really easy to miss. That's why most axe handles are 36" by default now, as they are safer for people who aren't as experienced. Longer handles tend to put the axe head into the dirt when you miss. Shorter handles put them into your shins or higher.
 
Sitcomdad83 said:
Update appreciate all the suggestions and advise but got a fiskars x15 on way to me. It's had a shorter handle but I figure less maintenance overall.
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Those aren't bad axes but there are some issues with them. First, many people complain about the edge being soft and rolling easily. It's as though the heat treats were inconsistent. Reports are that after a few sharpenings the problem goes away. What I think is going on is that they are sloppy in the grinding process and are tempering parts of the edge. So if you have problems then resharpen and it will likely get better.

The other issue is the handle wrapping around the head rather than going through like a traditional axe. This exposes the handle to damage especially when splitting. Fiskars splitting axes ramp the cheeks up in front of the handle to reduce this problem. But I still prefer a traditional hang with the haft safely inside the eye.
 
why not just skip the collecting and spend the $70 on the new council 2 1/4 and be done with it? I guess I am confused you asked for advice and set a budget of $50. anyways good luck
 
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